Chief Justice Stuart Rabner has announced that Superior Court Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. will lead the Hudson Vicinage, effective Feb. 7, 2012. He will succeed Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli, who is retiring after 25 years on the bench and seven years as assignment judge.

“Judge Bariso has distinguished himself as a dynamic leader and a dedicated public servant whose contributions have improved our system of justice,” said Chief Justice Rabner. “I am confident that he will provide wise guidance and leadership that will enable the judges and staff of the Hudson Vicinage to continue their outstanding work.

“With the impending retirement of Judge Gallipoli, the state is losing one of its most venerable and respected assignment judges, whose commitment to administering justice is second to none,” he added.

Appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Richard J. Codey on Jan. 7, 2005, Judge Bariso is assigned to the civil division in Hudson Vicinage. He became presiding judge of the civil division on Nov. 27, 2006. Since July 1, 2011, he has served as chair of the Conference of Civil Presiding Judges. As chair, he is a member of the Judicial Council, the statewide leadership committee that assists the chief justice with the administration of the courts. Judge Bariso also is the former chair of the Supreme Court Arbitration Advisory Committee and a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Jury Voir Dire. He has lectured on civil litigation issues for the Judiciary, the New Jersey State and Hudson County bar associations, and the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Judge Bariso graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He completed his law degree at Rutgers School of Law – Newark. He joined a private law practice upon graduation, and, at the time of his appointment to the bench, he was a managing partner at the firm of Chasan, Leyner, Bariso & Lamparello in Secaucus. A certified civil trial attorney, he also served as counsel to the East Rutherford Board of Education.

“Long before I was appointed to the bench, I knew that the judges and staff of Hudson Vicinage were among the best in the state,” said Judge Bariso. “Succeeding a legend such as Judge Gallipoli will be an enormous challenge, and I will rely on the many talented and wonderful people in Hudson to help me in this new role. I am honored to work with such a committed and professional group, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead them as assignment judge.”